• NACADA warns that alcohol and drug abuse are leading contributors to road accident fatalities, with December among the deadliest months on Kenyan roads. Medical staff describe the holidays as the most demanding period of their year, overwhelmed by the surge of avoidable cases that strain already limited resources.

Festive seasons in Kenya are times when the air is filled with joy, music, and the coming together of families. Yet behind the celebrations lies a distressing reality that often escapes notice.

Alcohol and drug abuse spike during the December holidays, turning what should be happy moments into stories of sorrow. The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) points out that alcohol remains the most commonly abused substance in the country.

Its promotion and social acceptance fuel excessive consumption. While families celebrate Christmas and New Year, binge drinking and drug use have become so normalized that few pause to grasp the depth of the problem.

Parties meant to foster love often end in violence, financial crises, and health complications. 

NACADA warns that alcohol and drug abuse are leading contributors to road accident fatalities, with December among the deadliest months on Kenyan roads. Medical staff describe the holidays as the most demanding period of their year, overwhelmed by the surge of avoidable cases that strain already limited resources.

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Families, meanwhile, are caught in cycles of trauma, as celebrations wrecked by loss leave scars that linger long after the Christmas trees are taken down. 

An Infotrak survey in December 2024 found that 60% of Kenyans would not celebrate Christmas and New Year due to financial constraints, with 86% citing lack of money as the main reason. The research, involving 606 adults across all 47 counties, revealed that financial struggles cut across age groups, genders, and regions, showing how deeply rooted the problem is.

The season of celebration in Kenya thus presents both joy and sorrow. While it brings happiness and unity, it is also a time when overindulgence can swiftly lead to tragedy. Living free from vices does not diminish life’s pleasures; rather, it ensures that happiness is lasting, and families can look forward to more occasions of celebration without loss or regret.

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